Multiform knockdown box



Oct. 31, 1933. G. w. ESCHENBACH 1,932,773

MULTIFORM KNOCKDOWN BOX Filed OCI". 17, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet l' l lt 331335Z.

,21a la Inven taz. uszavus 1V. Eschenbach. By e www y" .oz'nen/s. I

Oct. 31, 1933. l Q W. ESCHENBACH 1,932,773

MULTIFORM KNOCKDOWN BOX OGL 31, 1933- G. w. EscHENBAcH MULTIFORM KNOCKDOWN BOX Filed Oct. 17, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 l Igzzw l 24 f, Igf

In ve nto r. 'uszavus Il/ Esa/zenaek.

By M Patented Oct. 31, 1.933

i, UNITED sl'ifxfligg- PATENT OFFICE y This invention relates to the provisionof a multiform knockdown box that can be made available for relatively universal use Withk the principal object of economy in use of boxes vfor storage, packing, display and shipment of com-,-

mercialgoods, and to that end I provide a knockdown box that can be used repeatedly for all of the foregoing purposes, Thatis, the life ofthe box is not limited to one'shipment of goods, but can be used repeatedly, as it isconstructed soit can beknocked down after being used for shipmentl and packed into a relatively small space so that itcan be economically returned to the shipper to be used Vover again. J c,

Heretofore it has not been possible to economically return shipping boxes to the shipper after they have been used, owing to their great bulk, and also `the destructive mutilating manner of opening such boxes to remove their contents when igo'received, for, as is Well known, a major portion of such boxes is made of wood with the cover secured in place by nails, which containers have usually been destroyed after their contents'have been removed, and the annual loss by such destruction of shipping boxes is estimated in millions of dollars that the consumer must pay.

Y One of the principal objects of this invention, therefore, is to provide shipping boxes that can be used repeatedly, economically and for a long period of time and save a great annual cost to the consumer; which object is accomplished by providing a knockdown box that can be economically returned to the shipper owing to the fact that when knocked down the parts can be assembled intosuch aV small space that the return shippingY charges Will be relatively small. c

Another object is to provide a multiform knockdown box that almost any person can easily and quickly erect from the knockdown parts to form '40'ia lbox of any desired size or strength for the various purposes for which boxes are to be used. To that end I provide a knockdown box with parts constructed so they can be assembled in a uniform manner regardless as to the size or purpose for which the box is to be used. That is a very small box has its parts constructed exactly like a large one, so that both are assembled and knocked down in the same Way, and also boxes for crating, display andventilating are assem.

v bled and knocked clown in the same Way as the tightly sealed boxes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a knookdown metal box which in addition to being relatively strong, light and durable and suitable -for repeated use for shipping all kinds of com-Y ymercial goods, is Lalso especially adapted'for use* in either displaying small petsflivel-stock` and theJ like for sale or exposition porposes or for shipping the'livestock ina clean, sanitary manner. To that end I provide an all metal knockdown box that is relatively free of cracks and crevicesV into which mitesr can propagate and alsolin which unsanitary material might accumulatertojbe rof,-` fensively odorous. As is well known, theV objectionable yfeatures of pet live-stock exhibitions as now givenO are the offensive odors incident to uncleanliness and also, the liability of spreadingk contagious diseases by use of coops that cannot be kept spotlessly clean and free of ,diseasey and odor; and an` object of this invention is to provide a coop `for dogs,y cats, rabbits, and allkinds of poultry, thatgis relatively easy to be knocked down when necessary so it can be cleaned `and sterilized in a purifying solution to thereby eliminate objectionable features heretofore mentioned; l n Y Another object of thev invention is to provide4 a coop for the exhibition of pet live-stock that can. be securelyv assembled, sealed and locked so that', the live stock therein cannot be easilyhandled Aor removed withoutthe consent of anauthorized person; and also the lid can be embossed ,with

the name of the owner, so that there vwill begno confusion of ownership either when the coop is used for exhibition or Vshipping purposes. y

AA feature of invention is shown in themeans for securing the parts of the knockdown box together sothat none of the fastening means can be easily misplaced or lost when the box is knocked down, as the locking parts, `except the detachable Y tie rods, are permanently secured to thebottom and Vlid of the box, and also the headsof ther corner tie rods and their lock nuts are set rela'-,v tively deep in recesses so they do not extend above the bottom or topof the box to. interfere ,with the handling and closepacking of the boxes when 1n use.

" Another feature of invention is shown'in convention may appear from the accompanying drawings, the subjoined detailed description and the appended claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a multiforrn knockdown box constructed in accordance with this invention, showing the sides formed of corrugated sheet iron.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the box.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmental sectional View on line 3 3, Fig. 1, showing the sides and ends formed of nat sheet iron and detachably con# nected to the built-up corner posts; and also showing the buttons that are permanently secured to the bottom of thebox turned to lock the bottom ange of the ends and side walls to the bottom of the box.

Fig. 4 is a fragmental section on line 4 4, Fig. 3, showing the detailed construction of one of the locking buttons in position to hold one of the end walls secured' to the bottom of the box. l

Fig. 5 is a plan view ofthe box 'shown in Fig. 1, showing lock nuts in the top corners of the box. v f

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the box showing the anged ends of the'tie rods turned into a retaining position under flanges over the recessedseats for the tie rod heads, so they are supported above the bottom surface of the box and do not protrude to interfere with the handling or close packing of the boxes.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmental View'of the upper left hand corner portion of the box shown in Fig. 5 showing a seal tag secured to a lock nut.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmental View of the upper left hand corner portion of the box shown in Fig. 6, more vclearly illustrating the means for supporting the tie rods when in use.

Fig. 9 is`an enlarged fragmental section on line 9 9, Fig. 5, showing a detailed construction of one of the tie rods and also showing-one of thelock nuts swivelly secured to the box lid, showingl the head of the tie rod and also the lock nut arranged in deep seated recesses so they do not protrude above or below the top or bottom surfaces ofthe box.

Fig. 10 is an end view of the built-up corner posts detached from the box.

Fig'. 11 is a fragmental inside View of the post shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a cross section Fig. 13 Yis a fragmental top edge view of a side Wall with the body portion formed of corrugated sheet iron; and showing the preferred way of forming the end members of the telescoping attaching means. f Y

Fig. 14 is a fragmental side view 'of the .wall shown in Fig. 13. f y y Fig. 15 is a fragmental section on line 15 15 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 146- is an edge view of a side wall formed of nat sheet metal with'the telescoping members integral with the wall ends.

Fig. 17 is a' fragmental section through a knockdown box showing reinforced walls secured to an end post.

Fig. 18 is a fragmental vertical section'through a left hand portion of aknockdown box, a side wall provided with screen covered openings and also showing horizontal partitions supported on the tie rods to separate the interior into compartments suitable for housing pet live-stock for display or shipping.

on line 12 12, Fig. 11.`

Fig. 19 is a semi-diagrammatic fragmental sectional view through a knockdown box showing a modiiied Way of'forming the walls and arranging the partitions therein.

Fig. 20 is an enlarged view o1 a portion of the right hand wall shown in Fig. 19 showing the means for detachably securing the sections of the side walls together and also showing the detachablev means for securing the partitions to anges of the side walls. l Y Fig. 21 is a sectional View through a corner portion of a knockdown box showing the walls provided with glass panels so the contents of the boxv when in use are visible.

Fig. 22 is 'a vside view of my knockdown box utilized as a display coop for pet live-stock.

Fig. 23 is a plan view of the box shown in Fig. 22, showing the detailed arrangement of the top trap door and locking means.

Fig. 24 is a ragmental cross section on line 24-24 of Fig. 22 showing. the means for securing the wire panelsin the side and end walls of the box;

Fig. 25 isal cross section on the line 25-25 of Fig. 24 showing a guard in the remote corners of the box to prevent the accumulation of foreign substances therein.

Fig. 26 is a raginental cross section through a box designed for heavy duty.

Fig. 27 is a fragmental section on line 27 27 of Fig. 26 showing one of the cross plates for reinforcing the corners of the box.

In detail my multiforin knockdown boxincludes a bottom 20 in the forni of a shallow trough having portions adjacent its corners punched upward to form recesses 21 for the heads 22 of the tie rods' 23 that are arranged to extend upwardly through the box. The heads 22 have side extensions 24 that are adapted to be turned under the ilanges 25 to hold the rods 23 from displacement while the box is being assembled. The flanges 25 extend outa suicient distance over the recesses to so engage the extensions 24 when the heads are seated in the recesses as best illustrated by full and dotted lines in Figs. 6, 8 and 9.

When the rods are so secured in the bottom 20 the built-up corner posts 26 are arranged in position above the top ends of the rods 23 and are then lowered to telescope into the tubular guides 27 down over their respective rods; and when so placed the bottom outer edge portion of the angle irons 23 fits snugly against the inside surface of the upturned ange 29 ofthe bottom 20.

The built-up corner posts 26 include the angle means 28 to which the langes30 of the tubular guides 27 are secured as by brazing and thesel made for'heavy duty are preferably formedof corrugated sheet iron with the ribs thereof extending parallel with the bottom of the box, as indicated in Figs. l, 2 and 13 to 15 inclusive. However, these walls for some purposes can be formed of plain light weight sheet ironas indicated in many of the other figures.

Channelirons 34 having oppositely arranged' extensions 35 are secured by brazing to the end portionof the walls 32, 33 in position to be telescopedr downwardly'over the winged plates. Sitte veryrmly and removably hold the iside and end walls secured to the corner posts.

The Walls have bottom flanges 36 that are seatedY onf the bottom 2G when the walls are in place, and they are detachably secured thereto by the buttons 37 that are pivotally. secured byk rivets 137 to thebottom 20;so rthey can be turned over. the flanges 36 to very rigidly secure the walls and bottom of the box together. Preferably the but-V tons 37` are provided With'detents 38 Vthat extend into recesses 39 in the anges to thereby4 prevent accidental displacement ofthe buttons when in use, as ,besUl shown in Fig. 4. f

Thetop edgeportions of the walls 32;k 33 are preferably provided with inwardly extending flanges 40 on which the box lid 41 is seated when in. place. The lid 41 is in the form .of a shallow invertedat bottom trough and when in place itsflanges ,141 extend downwardand snugly engage the outer top edge portion of the walls and corner posts@V f y vThe lid 4l has portions adjacentits corners punched inwardly to formrecesses 42 for the lockV nuts U43 that are arranged to be screwed down and .detachably secured. to the top threaded ends 44 of the tie rods 23 and preferably tapered portions 45 are'arranged between the threaded ends 44 and body of the rods 23 so theyk can be more easily extended into the guides 27.

The nuts 43 have tubular extensions, 46that after being fitted down through-the opening, 47 in the bottom` of the recesses 42 1nave their lower ends turned outwardly to form locking ilanges 48 that permanently secure the nuts to the box lid soY they can be rotated on their` axis vto secure them to or detach thernfrorn the rods v23.l i Y Preferably the nuts 43 and threaded ends of the rods have av hole drilled through them for the sealing Wires 49 so that a sealing tag 56 can be secured;to the wires, asshown ingFigs.Vv 7 and 9, for-a purpose well'known in the art. f Y

, It is obvious that a box so .constructed it canbeerected or knocked downspeedily and with ease, and that .when knocked-down there arev'no smallV parts such as nuts or lookingbuttons Vto be lost, as they areiperznanently secured to their respective parts. s Y N If desired, the channel irons34. can be formed integral with the ends of the side and end Walls as indicated in Fig. 16,`but preferably they are formed of separate parts and secured to the walls, as bybrazing or spotwelding. y,

Also if desired the walls ofthe ends and sides can be reinforced with innery walls 51, as indicated in Figs. 17 and 26.

It is also my intention to utilize my box for forming coops for either shipping or displaying commercial or pet live stock, and when so used I provide the sides and ends with Wire panels 52. That is, I out openings 53 through the sides and ends that I cover with the wire 52,'the edge portion of which are secured between the metal border strips 54 that are arranged inside of and brazed to the end and side walls.

When my box is to be used` for displaying a large number of poultry for sale or shipping I provide a relatively large box with a number of horizontal partitions 100, as indicated in Fig. 18. These partitions are preferably arranged between the sectional guides 227 and supported on the tie rods 23, as shown.

2 When my box is to be used for displaying pet will ,es relatively light` and exceedingly strong andV dura'-l ble and useful for many purposes and also that` stock in exhibitionsahd the like I preferablyconstruct it as indicated in Figs22,f23 and 24;;.As seen therein ,I provide the lid of the box with a-.trap door 55'that` is hingedv at 56 to the lid and provided with springs 57 that normally: hold `the Except as `to the door andopenwire panels in i the end and sidewalls the display coop box is constructed substantially as-the knock down box heretofore described, so that when used in 'public exhibitions, as previously described, it can be knocked down, cleansed and sterilized, as often as is necessary to avoid the spread of contagious diseases aand eliminate obnoxious odors. Preferably this display coop is provided with corner -guards 60 that can be inserted'betvveen the ilanges of the corner posts as indicated inl Fig. 25, to prevent the corner posts from becoming fouled. n

It is also my intention to form the ends and sidesof my knockdown boxin sections, asindicated in Figs. 19 and2).` Asseen therein the' top edge portions 6l of the lower sections extend into recess 62 of the lower edgerportions of the upper sections and the jointed portions are detachably secured together by Cotter pins 63. Also the lower edge portions of the upper sections are turned inwardly to form ledges 64 on which the partitions 6.5 are detachably secured by the Cotter pins 66. s l

x If desired the sides and ends of iny knock down box canbe provided with glass panels 67, as ndicated in Fig. 21.1 Asseen therein Vopenings are out through the end and side walls and the glass panels 5"!y secured over the openings by the border strips 6Sthat can be secured to the Walls in any well known way,V asV by spot welding after th i panels are in place. Y Y -Asindicated inFigs. 26 and 27, I-provide a box for very heavymduty and in thisconstruction I;

together; also arranged between the angle irons 218 'an'dl28-Y are ycorner spacer plates 73 having anges 74 brazed to rthe angle irons and arranged to rigidly fsfiipportthe tubular guides 27'in their proper place. n

,In practice my multiform knockdown box is constructed and used as heretofore fully described.

I claim as my invention:

l. A knockdown box including a sheet metal bottom in the form of a flat bottom trough having relatively deep vrecesses adjacent the corners thereof,` sheet metal end and side walls detachably secured tosaid bottom, a sheet metal lid extended over the top edges of said end and side walls with relatively deep recesses adjacent the corners thereof that are aligned with the recesses in said bottom, tie rods having upper threaded ends extended through said box adjacent the corners thereof into'the recesses in said lid, flanged heads on the bottom ends of said rods that are cured on the upper threaded ends of said tie rods to hold said parts together;

2. A knockdown box including a bottom inthe form of a shallow fiat bottom trough having recesses, tie rods extending up through the corners of said trough, angle iron corner posts having tubular guides adapted to be telescoped down over said tie rods, end and Vside walls detachably secured to said posts, a lid in the form of a shallow inverted trough tted down over the top edges of said endand sidewalls and posts, means permanently secured to said lid for detachably securing it to said rods to hold said parts together.

3. A knockdown box including a bottom in the form of a shallow flat bottom trough, tie rods extending up through the corners of said trough, angle iron corner posts having tubular guides adapted to be telescoped 'down over said tie rods, end and side walls detachably secured to said posts, a lid in the form of a shallow inverted trough fitted down over theV top edges of said end, side walls and corner posts, and lock nuts swivelly secured to said lid that are adapted to be screwed on the threaded ends of said tie rods to hold said parts together.

- 4. r'A knockdown box including a sheet metal bottom in the form of a shallow iiat bottom trough having corner recesses therein, tie rods extending up through the recesses in said trough and having heads supported in said recesses, angle iron corner posts having tubular guides adapted to be Vtelescoped over said tie rods, sheet metal side and end Walls detachably secured to said posts, a sheet metal lid in the form of an inverted shallow fiat bottom trough tted over the top ends of said posts and top edges of said walls and having corner recesses therein, and lock nuts in said recesses that are swivelly secured to said lid that are adapted to be attached to said rods to detachably hold said parts together, said nuts and the heads of said rods supported. in said recesses so they do not extend above or below the top and bottom surfaces of said box.

5. A knockdownbox including a sheet'metal bottom in the form 'of a shallow flat bottom trough, tie rods extending up through said/bot'- tom adjacent the corners thereof, heads to said rods having side extensions, flanges on said bottom over which the side extensions of said heads can be turned to hold said tie rods extended therethrough, sheet metal Acorner posts having tubular guides adapted to be telescoped over said tie rods, sheet metal side and end walls, tele-` scoping means for securingfsaid walls to said posts,l a lid in the form of an inverted shallow iiat bottom trough tted on the top ends of said posts and top edges of said Walls, and nuts rotatably secured to said lid for detachably secure ing it to said rods to hold said parts together.

6. A knockdown boxV including a sheetv metal bottom in the form of a shallow flat bottom trough, having corner recesses therein, tie rods extending up through the recesses of said bottom, heads to said rods having side extensions, flanges on said bottom over which the side extensions of saidhead can beturned to detachably hold said tie rods extended therethrough, vsheet metal angular corner posts having tubular guides adapted to be telescoped over said tie rods, sheet metal side and end walls, telescoping means for securing said walls to said posts, a lid in the form of an inverted shallow iiat bottom trough fitted over'the top ends of said posts and top edges of said walls having .corner recesses therein, and lock nuts seated in said recesses that are rotatably secured to said lid that are adapted to be attached to said tie rods to hold said parts together.

'7. A knockdown box including a sheet metal bottom in the form of a shallow flat bottom trough having recesses adjacent the corners thereof, tie rods extending up through the recesses 'of said bottom, flanges on said bottom that are extended partly over said recesses, heads on said tie rods having side extensions adapted to be turned over the top surface of said flanges to detachably hold said rods extended through saidbottom, sheet metal side and end walls sup-- ported on said bottom, a sheet metal lid tted over the top edges of said side and end walls having recesses into which the top threaded ends of said rods are extended, and nuts in said recesses that are rotatably secured to said lid for attachment to Ysaid rods to hold-said parts together.

I 8. A knockdown box including a sheet metal bottom, sheet metal side and end walls thereon, flangesintegral with the bottom edges'of said walls that areVV extended inwardly and seated on said bottom, buttons for securing said flanges to said bottom,'a sheet metal lid fitted on the top edges of said walls, tie rods extending through saidbottom adjacent the corners thereof, means connected with said bottom for detachably securing said rods thereto and nuts rotatably secured vto said lid that are adapted to be secured to the upper threaded ends of said tie rods to detachablyhold said parts together.

. GUSTAVUS W. ESCHENBACH. 

